Speaker of Lok Sabha (1)

Election and Tenure

• The Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from its members at its first sitting.

• The President sets the date of election if the Speaker's office becomes vacant.

• The Speaker remains in office for the Lok Sabha's duration but must vacate in these cases:
➤ If they cease to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
➤ If they resign in writing to the Deputy Speaker.
➤ If removed by a majority resolution from all Lok Sabha members (requires 14 days' notice).

• The Speaker continues in office even when the Lok Sabha is dissolved until the new Lok Sabha meets.

Role, Powers, and Functions

• Maintains order and decorum in the House, regulating its proceedings.

• Interprets the Constitution, the Rules of Procedure, and parliamentary precedents for the House.

• Adjourns the House or suspends meetings if there is no quorum (quorum = one-tenth of the House).

• Does not vote initially but has a casting vote in the event of a tie.

• Presides over joint sittings of both Houses of Parliament.

• Can allow a secret sitting of the House on request.

• Decides whether a bill is a money bill and endorses it accordingly.

• Decides on disqualification of Lok Sabha members under the Tenth Schedule.

• Acts as ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group and the conference of presiding officers of legislative bodies.

• Appoints and supervises the chairmen of all parliamentary committees of the Lok Sabha.

Independence and Impartiality

• Security of tenure: removal requires a special majority resolution in the Lok Sabha, with support from at least 50 members.

• Salaries and allowances are fixed by Parliament and charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

• The Speaker's conduct cannot be discussed in the Lok Sabha except through a substantive motion.

• Powers in regulating procedures or conducting business are not subject to court jurisdiction.

• Speaker cannot vote initially, ensuring impartiality.

• The Speaker holds a high position in the order of precedence, ranking with the Chief Justice of India and above all Cabinet Ministers except the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister.